resolutions condemning the institution of the
Spottiswoode fund. Lord John Russell, however,
discouraged the attack, on the ground that the number
of election petitions in the present year was not such
as to warrant any extraordinary measures in regard to
them. Mr. Blewitt withdrew four of his resolutions and
left the House without moving the fifth. _Solvuntur
risu tabulae_.]

The new House of Commons does not promise to be a more business-
like or more decorous assembly than its immediate predecessor.
Already two whole nights have been consumed in the discussion of
two topics so unprofitable as 'the Battle of the Diamond' and
'the Spottiswoode Gang,' and it is said that such a scene of
disorder and such a beargarden never was beheld. The noise and
confusion are so great that the proceedings can hardly be heard
or understood, and it was from something growing out of this
confusion and uproar that the Speaker thought it necessary to
address the House last night and complain that he no longer
enjoyed its confidence, and if he saw any future indication that
such was the case he should resign the Chair. His declaration was
taken very quietly, for nobody said a word.

Brougham made a great speech on education the other night, but it
was so long, tedious, and digressive that he drove everybody
away. He is in a very bitter state of mind, scarcely speaking to
any of his former friends and colleagues, and having acquired no
new friends of any party. He courts the Radicals, and writes
letters and makes speeches directly at variance with all his
former professions and opinions; but the Radicals, though they do
not object to make use of him, will by no means trust him.

I asked Charles Buller if they would have Lord Brougham for their
leader, and he said 'certainly not,' and added that 'Durham had
done nothing as yet to forfeit their confidence.' He enlightened
me at the same time about his own Radical opinions and views and
the extent of them, together with those of the more moderate of
his party, complaining that they were misrepresented and
misunderstood; although for the Ballot and extension of the
suffrage, he is opposed to reform of the House of Lords or any
measure directly affecting the Constitution. He does not admit
that the measures he advocates do affect the Constitution
directly or indirectly.[17] I told him if he repudiated the
violent m